To market, to market

Woke to the sound of thunder Saturday morning, and before I'd even managed to make a pot of coffee, the sky let loose with a cloudburst. That put an end to my plan to hit the outdoor Westside Farmers Market in my neighborhood. Instead I watched it pour and sent Mark out to capture the garden between showers. 

A week ago Saturday found me on the Capitol Square at the opening moments of the first Dane County Farmer's Market of the season. It is the big planet around which all the other regional farmers markets orbit. I went looking for herbs since I am not a seed-starting kind of girl. Came home with a beautiful variegated pineapple mint, two plants of large-leaved Genovese basil (perfect for pesto), one Thai basil, one small-leaved spicy basil (it grows like a mini boxwood) and one of the basils with decorative reddish-purple leaves. And the basics: curly parsley, Italian flat-leaf parsley and cilantro.

Could not find the Tiger Eye violas that I went in search of, but came home with these "Midnight Sun" charmers instead (in the back corner of the basket). Also got some smaller Sorbet strain in similar tones, called "Babyface Ruby and Gold" (front basket corner). I'm thinking about planting them near some Gold-Laced Black Primulas to contrast the informality of the pansies with the structured form of the primroses, linked by the similarity of color. 

But first it has to stop raining. The poor pansies and herbs have been on the deck all week waiting for the rain to stop and the ground to dry out a bit. That had just about happened when the rain cycle began again Saturday morning. The evening brought thunder, lightening and hail; my rain gauge showed two inches by Sunday morning. We're in the midst of a swirling system of storms that are expected to last through Monday night. At the same time, the rain and the warmer temps have the garden greening and growing at an amazing rate. So, I'm enjoying the progress even if I can't get outdoors to plant.

Comments

[Jen]

The pansies look great mixed in with the herbs - and they're edible aren't they? Such a variety of color and texture. You made some great choices!

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Thanks, Jen. And you're right, the violas are edible. I hadn't even thought about that when I got them, so I appreciate the suggestion.

[jo]

a tisket, a tasket,
what a lovely basket.

Never mind what's in it:-)

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Thanks, Joco. It is a lovely basket. I've had it for years, having bought it from a company that's long gone. Perfect for this time of year. Later, I use a wicker cart on wheels when the heavy veggies are in season!

[Lisa at Greeenbow]

Our farmers market won't begin until at least next month. I would love to get some herbs growing. I don't start much by seed either.

[LINDA from EACH LITTLE WORLD]

Lisa — glad to hear I'm not alone in the seed starting arena. Sometimes it seems like everyone's doing it and talking about it. I love the idea but don't have the room or the setup.